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Road ordinance repealed by Elwood Village Board

By Mary Baskerville -
Shaw Media Correspondent

July 23, 2014

Elwood – The Elwood Village Board voted to repeal an ordinance passed May 21 instituting road restrictions designed to reduce the number of vehicles crossing the Union Pacific Railroad track at Walter Strawn Drive.

The action taken Wednesday night passed unanimously with no comment from trustees. President William Offerman and Trustee Francis “Bud” Jones were absent.

After the village instituted the changes in May, CenterPoint, APL and the Union Pacific Railroad argued successfully in federal court for a temporary restraining order.

Attorney Mike Connelly is representing Elwood in the federal case. In a phone interview after the meeting, Connelly said he suggested the village repeal the ordinance and seek a dismissal of the suit.

Connelly said the trial was expected to take more than a year, and could easily cost “three quarters of a million dollars.” Among the potential costs he listed were fees, the cost of expert witnesses and depositions, the cost of documents and the cost of time spent by village officials and staff preparing for and being in court.

On Aug. 1, Connelly will file a motion to dismiss. Connelly said the case is scheduled to be back in front of the judge on Aug. 6.

Additionally, Elwood is already involved in hearings with the Interstate Commerce Commission seeking ways to address the safety of the crossing, he said.

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